April 04, 2014

Republic Airways pilots reject four-year labor contract

Republic Airways pilots rejected a proposed contract that included pay raises, a signing bonus and work rule changes.

With 89.5 percent of the 2,200 pilots voting, the Teamsters said 289 voted in favor of the contract, about 15 percent, while 1,643 pilots, or 85 percent, voted against the deal.

"Our pilot group has spoken and rejected the tentative agreement (TA) as inadequate," said IBT Local 357 President Craig A. Moffatt. "The Local Union will now move promptly to identify clearly the pilots’ priorities that resulted in rejection of the tentative agreement and towards developing a comprehensive plan for obtaining an agreement that the pilots will ratify."

The regional carrier expressed disappointment that its pilots turned down the four-year contract.

"At a time when other regional airlines have been negotiating concessionary agreements for their pilots, we were able to reach an industry-leading contract that significantly improved pay and work rules for our pilots to vote upon," said Republic Airways Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Wayne Heller.